Students learning can be hindered by difficulties with writing, especially in the middle years and high school. Mechanical difficulties can mean that a student with learning difficulties produces less written work and work that is of lower quality than that of their typical achieving peers.
Assistive (also adaptive) technology is equipment designed for use by people with difficulties or disabilities. It may be purpose built or it may be equipment that is generally available which has been modified. One example of an assistive technology is software that enables people with learning difficulties to access the web.eg ‘Read and Write Gold’. New assistive technology can support students to complete tasks more efficiently and independently , resulting in improved performance in a variety of reading and writing tasks.
NOTE-No single software solution will support all difficulties. It is essentially a matter of matching need with the software to ensure that difficulties are lessoned and learning enhanced. The use of information and communication technology must begin with the teacher and the teacher’s assessment of the learning needs of his/her students.
Reading Assistance Software
T his software designed to help people with literacy problems. FEATURES * Can predict words, or the end of words ahead of the user
Synthetic speech output can be combined with highlighted text. A dictionary, thesaurus and pronunciation guide are included.
EXAMPLES * Read & Write Gold –a sophisticated visual and auditory resource, including speaking of web pages. See http://www.texthelp.com for manufacturer and httpwww.spectronicsinoz.com for Australian supplier and information.
Wynn
Read On
TextAloud- simple and inexpensive, it reads via synthetic speech text copied to the windows clipboard and from web pages, Microsoft word and PDF files.
See http://www.nextup.com. for info. and purchase. * Wynn Wizard- scanning and reading software. It has the ability to scan the printed pages and convert them to electronic text. Speech synthesis enables the text to be read aloud. Additional WYNN wizard can read processing documents, Adobe Acrobat PDF files and the internet.
Word Prediction Software
This software is used to speed up input into computers. It is especially useful for people who have very slow methods when writing and can help people who have literacy problems. As the text is entered, the word prediction software offers a list of probable word. The correct word is selected and is placed in the application. Based on the users’ word usage , the software makes more accurate predictions over time. It can be used with standard computer applications eg windows. EXAMPLES · Co:Writer- especially helpful for phonetically spelt words. · Read& Write from Texthelp ( word prediction geared towards people who have reading difficulties- see www.texthelp.com or www.spectronicsinoz.com for Australian suppliers and info
Voice Recognition Software
Voice recognition software can help students bypass their problems with low order writing skills by dictating their written work. When students use voice recognition software they wear a headset and operate the computer by voice commands. Speech to text software allows students to get their ideas down before they are forgotten. EXAMPLE Dragon Naturally Speaking 8- allows the user to talk to the computer and the words instantly appear in Microsoft word and Excel and virtually all Windows based applications. It allows the user to listen to incoming mail as well as documents read aloud. The user can dictate directly into a PC or any approved hand held digital recorder after which the text can be directly relayed to the PC. A feature of the software is dictation shortcuts which enable the user to insert blocks of text with a single voice command. See httpwwwvoicerecognition.com.au/
Organisational Software
Students experiencing difficulty writing often have problems with the mechanics of writing, such as handwriting and the use of spelling and grammar rules. Organisational software allows students to engage in higher order process, such as writing organisation and revision. It helps students to organise information and ideas through a variety of web maps or concept maps on the computer screen. This software can be used to gather information before writing: students can add new information which is automatically rearranged to present information in a logical way. Once the structure is provided to organise the writing, students can use the outline to write and essay or complete an assignment task. EXAMPLES Inspiration- a tool students can use to plan, research and complete tasks. Kidspiration- created for k-5 learners. Students can categorise and group ideas, express and organise thoughts, comprehend and communicate through visual learning. Students can build graphic organisers by combining pictures, text and the spoken words to present ideas and information. See http://www.inspiration.com
Many of these assistive technologies are available to borrow from the Deniliquin South Resource Centre.
What is Assistive Technology?
- Students learning can be hindered by difficulties with writing, especially in the middle years and high school. Mechanical difficulties can mean that a student with learning difficulties produces less written work and work that is of lower quality than that of their typical achieving peers.
- Assistive (also adaptive) technology is equipment designed for use by people with difficulties or disabilities. It may be purpose built or it may be equipment that is generally available which has been modified. One example of an assistive technology is software that enables people with learning difficulties to access the web.eg ‘Read and Write Gold’. New assistive technology can support students to complete tasks more efficiently and independently , resulting in improved performance in a variety of reading and writing tasks.
NOTE-No single software solution will support all difficulties. It is essentially a matter of matching need with the software to ensure that difficulties are lessoned and learning enhanced. The use of information and communication technology must begin with the teacher and the teacher’s assessment of the learning needs of his/her students.- Reading Assistance Software
T his software designed to help people with literacy problems. FEATURES * Can predict words, or the end of words ahead of the userSynthetic speech output can be combined with highlighted text. A dictionary, thesaurus and pronunciation guide are included.
EXAMPLES * Read & Write Gold –a sophisticated visual and auditory resource, including speaking of web pages. See http://www.texthelp.com for manufacturer and httpwww.spectronicsinoz.com for Australian supplier and information.
Wynn
Read On
- TextAloud- simple and inexpensive, it reads via synthetic speech text copied to the windows clipboard and from web pages, Microsoft word and PDF files.
See http://www.nextup.com. for info. and purchase. * Wynn Wizard- scanning and reading software. It has the ability to scan the printed pages and convert them to electronic text. Speech synthesis enables the text to be read aloud. Additional WYNN wizard can read processing documents, Adobe Acrobat PDF files and the internet.- Word Prediction Software
- Voice Recognition Software
Voice recognition software can help students bypass their problems with low order writing skills by dictating their written work. When students use voice recognition software they wear a headset and operate the computer by voice commands. Speech to text software allows students to get their ideas down before they are forgotten. EXAMPLE Dragon Naturally Speaking 8- allows the user to talk to the computer and the words instantly appear in Microsoft word and Excel and virtually all Windows based applications. It allows the user to listen to incoming mail as well as documents read aloud. The user can dictate directly into a PC or any approved hand held digital recorder after which the text can be directly relayed to the PC. A feature of the software is dictation shortcuts which enable the user to insert blocks of text with a single voice command. See httpwwwvoicerecognition.com.au/This software is used to speed up input into computers. It is especially useful for people who have very slow methods when writing and can help people who have literacy problems. As the text is entered, the word prediction software offers a list of probable word. The correct word is selected and is placed in the application. Based on the users’ word usage , the software makes more accurate predictions over time. It can be used with standard computer applications eg windows. EXAMPLES · Co:Writer- especially helpful for phonetically spelt words. · Read& Write from Texthelp ( word prediction geared towards people who have reading difficulties- see www.texthelp.com or www.spectronicsinoz.com for Australian suppliers and info
- Organisational Software
Students experiencing difficulty writing often have problems with the mechanics of writing, such as handwriting and the use of spelling and grammar rules. Organisational software allows students to engage in higher order process, such as writing organisation and revision. It helps students to organise information and ideas through a variety of web maps or concept maps on the computer screen. This software can be used to gather information before writing: students can add new information which is automatically rearranged to present information in a logical way. Once the structure is provided to organise the writing, students can use the outline to write and essay or complete an assignment task. EXAMPLES Inspiration- a tool students can use to plan, research and complete tasks. Kidspiration- created for k-5 learners. Students can categorise and group ideas, express and organise thoughts, comprehend and communicate through visual learning. Students can build graphic organisers by combining pictures, text and the spoken words to present ideas and information. See http://www.inspiration.comMany of these assistive technologies are available to borrow from the Deniliquin South Resource Centre.
- Read and Write Gold
- Wynn Wizard
- Claro read
- Read On
- Dragon Naturally Speaking
- Clicker
- Co Writer
- Phonics Alive
Contact APLA if you would like to try them.